Moulin La Rive

Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Beginner
Skill Level
Chop
Spot Type
Moderate
Crowd Level

This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.

About this spot

About

Moulin La Rive is a quite exposed sandy beach break in Locquirec where surf can be reasonably consistent, particularly in winter; summer conditions are often mostly flat. The spot is typically best at high tide, and waves are reported as working well for both left- and right-hand surfers. Wind-wise, good sessions are tied to offshore southerly conditions. Guidance for the spot specifically highlights south winds (and south-southwest offshore conditions) as favorable, while southerly winds are also described as grooming the waves rather than making them messy. Clean surf is reported to be more likely in January than blown-out conditions, supporting the idea that winter is the most reliable riding period. For swell, the most favorable direction is from the west-northwest, with west to north-west swells also cited. Typical surf windows are described as generally working from around 0.5 to 2.0 meters of swell, and on larger days the wave can close out if the swell rises beyond a higher threshold. Safety is important at this beach: rocks are located at both ends, and additional caution is advised when the tide is high. Rip currents are also a noted hazard near the rocky headlands, and seasonal lifeguard coverage is reported for the main beaches during summer months. When conditions look big or messy, the western end of the beach is suggested as a place to look for slightly more sheltered conditions.

  • Reasonably consistent surf in winter, often flat in summer
  • Best at mid to high tide
  • Offshore south-to-southwest winds help keep waves clean
  • Sand bottom and left/right waves make it friendly for learning
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardBeginnersAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Reasonably consistent surf, especially in winter
  • Sand bottom makes it generally approachable for progression
  • Works best at high tide with offshore south-to-southwest winds
  • Left and right waves reported
Heads up
  • Exposed beach break with strong weather variability
  • Rocks at both ends of the beach—risk increases at higher tides
  • Rip currents possible near rocky headlands
  • Clean conditions are not guaranteed (can be blown out at times)
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
SSW
Offshore directions
S
Wind Range
10–25 kts
Wind Type
Frontal — Wind is described as primarily frontal in the area; spot-specific guidance notes southerly/offshore conditions for good surfing.
Reliability
Moderate
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts
Best Months
January, February, March
Shadow Zones
Cliffs provide some shelter from very strong southerly winds.

Water & beach

Water Type
Chop
Beach
Sand — Sandy bottom; beach composition also described as sand.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Medium — Wave size described as small to medium depending on conditions and swell.
Chop Level
Heavy chop — Some sources describe overall water as chop.
Launch
Medium — Wide sandy beach at low to mid tide; narrower at high tide.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
14–20 °C
Water Temperature
6–21 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 5/4mm + Boots, Gloves, HoodMay–Oct: 4/3mmJul, Aug: 3/2mm
Crowds by Season

Can be crowded in July and August; quiet and consistent during the off-season.

Storm/Rain Season

Rainy and windy conditions are common from November to March.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Quite exposed sandy beach break with reasonably consistent surf in winter; summer tends to be mostly flat. Works best at high tide and with offshore south-to-southwest winds alongside west to west-northwest swells. Break offers both left and right waves.

Beach break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
WNW, W, NW
Swell Height
0.5–2 m
Optimal Tide
High — Also described as good around mid to high tide.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed beach break; cliffs provide some shelter from very strong southerly winds, but overall conditions remain exposed.
Wind Effect
South winds are offshore and groom the waves; north winds are onshore and create messy conditions.
Bigger Swell
Can close out when the swell exceeds 2.5 meters.
Wave Quality
Average — Reasonably consistent surf, with winter waves commonly clean more often than blown out.
Wave Power
Moderate — Typically manageable and reasonably consistent; described as average wave quality by some sources.
Wave Shape
Peeling
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Medium — Decent rides on good days.
Typical Ride Length
50–100 m
Ride Length Details
Can offer decent rides of 50 to 100 meters on good days.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Moulin La Rive in the full forecast view.

Moulin La Rive wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
3–24 ktsGusts 42 kts
Direction
SW228°
Strongest day
Sat, Oct 2424 kts
Windy days
4/712 kts or more
Waves
0.5–3.8 m10s period
Temperature
7–18 °C

Over the next 7 days, Moulin La Rive is forecast for daytime winds of 3–24 kts, peaking around 24 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 42 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.5–3.8 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

What to know before you launch

Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.

Hazards

  • Rocks at both the western and eastern ends of the beach
  • Rip currents possible near rocky headlands
  • Watch for rocks on the sides of the beach when the tide is high
  • Occasional summer crowds
Ability Level: Beginner
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetWetsuitBootsGlovesHood

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard coverage is present on main beaches during July and August.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — Maritime rescue services are reported as limited; SNSM provides maritime rescue services.
Emergency Info
Emergency services can be contacted via 112. The nearest major hospital is in Morlaix.

Rules of the spot

Standard surfing etiquette applies. Respect designated swimming zones during the summer months.

Restrictions
  • Summer restrictions for water sports in swimmer zones
Local Tips
  • Best at mid to high tide.
  • Check the western end of the beach for more sheltered conditions if the swell is large.
  • When the tide is high, watch out for rocks on the sides of the beach.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Locquirec
Nearest Town
Locquirec
Parking
There is a parking lot directly overlooking the beach.
Access
Beach access from Locquirec; easily accessible by car via the coastal road from Locquirec.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
French
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Toilets
Showers
Restaurant
Accommodation
Nearby town — Camping sites and vacation rentals are available in and around Locquirec.
Food & Drink
A restaurant/snack bar is located near the parking area.
Equipment Rental:
Available at the local surf school on the beach.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Moulin La Rive?

The best overall months at Moulin La Rive are January, February, March.

Which wind directions work at Moulin La Rive?

Moulin La Rive works with SSW winds. Offshore directions are S.

What skill level is Moulin La Rive suitable for?

Moulin La Rive suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.